Through the Zombie Glass

Same book as the first one, only with even more teen drama and less substance to the zombie mythology, and with new names and faces for basically the same cardboard villains. The fight scenes were downright boring and always the same - fight, ooh it's working, get bitten, uh oh, someone saves the day. I guess the author couldn't be arsed, since there was making out to write and teenage romance to focus on.

The whole zombie/spirit form thing was almost chucked, with bushes rustling and twigs snapping when they shouldn't have, and the "darkness" within Ali (which was presented as the deathly threat throughout the book) was pretty much a red herring - instead of a big confrontation and grand finale, it fizzled out without any big impact, show more and things were resolved with a hurried handwave so that everyone could get back to snogging. The slayers did get a bit of helpful information, true, but they could have gained that knowledge elsewhere, and it seemed like a sad attempt to justify the inclusion of the "darkness" in the first place.

In the end there was no meaning to the book's alleged plot, and it became even more apparent than in the first book that there is no substance to the zombie plotline and that it only serves as a halfway original selling point for more plastic YA romance. The connection to Alice in Wonderland stays superficial, by the way; there are more elements added to underline the "Through the Looking Glass" reference, but it's as meaningless as the "darkness" - it's just a gimmick.

Annnd the romance. It feels so empty! I got bored of the main couple's back and forth thing very early on, and though I liked Cole in the first book in a "yah I know it's not real"-way, his exaggerated bad boy image got on my nerves after a while. Yes, I get it, he's tough and ripped and sexy and controlling and only Ali can tame him! All girls want him! Grown men cower! But he's still 17, and in my experience, 17 year olds tend to be gangly and pimply instead of dreamy stripper boys. Maybe I'm just too old for this. Anyway, his character jumped the shark when he got the new tattoo. Her name? In bold letters? If anyone would get my first and last name tattooed across his chest, I'd dump him on the spot. Why not a symbol, man? I could have dealt with that. And violet eyes, my butt.

Ali's best friends were also reduced to side romances with their respective buff-sexy-tough bad boys, and at times it felt like a musical or something, with the couples on stage clinging to each other on raised platforms, the boys scowling sexily and the girls smiling beatifically. Everyone else was just padding, the whole cast consists of extras, jealousy fodder, or people who conveniently adapt their character to the current state of things in Ali and Cole's relationship. What ever happened to Nana's sense of propriety? Why is Cole's dad meekly taking orders from his son at one point, then utilized to block their smexy times the next by suddenly being a dad with authority? Is Mr Ankh anything else but a provider of food, housing, and money on one hand, an obstacle to the Bronx/Reeve romance on the other?

Oh well. My expectations weren't high, and I did enjoy the book a little, but I also got tired of the emptiness of it all. Maybe I'm just not cut out for this type of YA. I read 3/4 of it in one day, then finished the rest of it almost 3 weeks later; I started reading a Juliet Marillier novel in the meantime and the difference was just too striking. I'll probably read the third zombieland book, but just to see how it ends. show less

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Riveting story packed with action, romance, and suspense. I loved every minute of this book and if you haven’t started this series yet what are you waiting for?

Opening Sentence: Where should I begin?

The Review:

Alice Bell knows the meaning of loss very well. On her 16th birthday she lost her entire family in a terrible car accident. The traumatic experience woke up her sight and now she is able to see zombies, dangerous creatures that feed off of human souls. Their bites are infectious and if you aren’t administered an antidote soon enough you will become one of the undead. After the death of her family, Ali went to live with her grandparents and soon joined up with a zombie slaying show more group. They fight to protect those they love from the undead, but zombie slaying is a dirty business to be in.

Ali has finally started to adjust to her new life when everything changes. During a standard zombie attack something strange happens to Ali, and a new darkness comes to life inside her. She starts to get urges to do things she would never normally do, and she doesn’t know how to stop herself from acting on them. Then she finds out that there is a traitor among the zombie slayers that is feeding information to Anima, a group that does experiments on zombies and sworn enemies of the zombie slayers. She doesn’t know who she can trust and just when she needs him most her boyfriend and leader of the zombie slayers starts to pull away from her. Can she learn to control the darkness in time or will it eventually consume her?

I freaking love Ali so much. She has a heart full of gold, but she also has a very stubborn streak. While she may not be the best trained zombie slayer or the most knowledgeable, she puts her whole heart into the cause. Because she has lost so much in her life she has realized that life is short and she really needs to make every second count. She really tries to live her life to the fullest and her way of doing that is by avenging her family and protecting the people she loves. Ali is such an easy person to admire and connect with. From the very first time I met her, I instantly was engaged by her wit and spirit. My love for her just grew more with each page, and I honestly can’t wait to see how it ends

Cole has officially been placed in the top ranks of my all time favorite book boyfriends. He is sexy, stubborn, protective, and just all out desirable. I’m not going to lie, there were times in the book where he could be a frustrating idiot, but weirdly that actually made me like him even more. I loved that he’s rough around the edges and can be scary as hell, but at the same time when he wants to he can be so sweet. He is very loyal to the zombie fighting cause and would do anything to protect the people he loves. Even though he is a born leader, the stress and responsibility that comes with it can be hard on him at times. He doesn’t let people in very easily because he is afraid to lose anyone else he cares about. I seriously can’t tell you how much I adore and love Cole.

I loved the dynamic relationship between Cole and Ali. They have electric chemistry, but at the same time they can really push each other’s buttons. They push each other to be better even when it’s hard or not what the other person wants. Their relationship is very hot and cold, which made the sexual tension very high. I think their connection felt very guanine and realistic. I loved watching the love develop slowly and honestly Showalter did a wonderful job helping me really connect and love them as a couple.

If you can’t tell, I completely and utterly loved this book. The first book in the series was phenomenal so as a sequel this one had some pretty big shoes to fill; luckily it not only fulfilled my expectations but exceeded them as well. It is filled with non-stop action, sexy romance, creepy villains, and amazing characters. There is a huge list of secondary characters that I didn’t talk about because if I did this review would never end, but I do want to say that I love each of them. One of my favorite things about this book is one moment I will be totally laughing out loud and then next I will be sitting on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. Once you pick this book up it will be almost impossible to put down. While reading it I kept telling myself only one more chapter and before I knew it I was finishing the book. I am actually new to Showalter’s work, this series is the first I have read by her, but rest assured it will not be the last. Her writing style is captivating and this woman really knows how to weave an unbelievably good story. I can’t wait to get my hand on the next book. I am sure it will be the perfect ending to this fantastic series. If you love young adult paranormal books filled with action and romance you should give this one a try.

Notable Scene:

Tick. The girl in the mirror—me!—had her hand lifted and pressed against the glass, as if reaching for me.

Tock. How could… How was… Impossible.

Tick. In a daze, I walked toward her—toward me.

Tock. She never moved. I mean my reflection never moved.

Tick. I pressed a trembling hand against the coolness of the glass.

Tock. Her hand fell away.

FTC Advisory: Harlequin Teen provided me with a copy of Through the Zombie Glass. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. show less

I never realized how much I love Cole and Ali together until I almost started crying at how much of a butt Cole was being during the beginning of the book. I'm being completely serious. I was just like no, stop. You're messing with my feels. I love how everyone is a couple in this book though. It's so freaking adorable! I loved Through the Zombie Glass more than Alice in Zombieland, if that's even possible. It has everything I love and need:
Action? Oh yes. Let's go kill some zombies!
Evilness? TONS
Romance? ❤❤❤❤ That's all.
Swoony boys? :D COLE ❤❤❤
Perfection? YES. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE THIRD ONE.

I have been looking forward to this book for a year, especially seeing as Gena Showalter was so wonderfully original with her zombies as well as with her portrayal of Alice, the Mad-Hatter, and all the other characters we loved from Lewis Carroll‘s original Alice in Wonderland. But where the first book in the White Rabbit Chronicles were filled with metaphorical elements reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, Through the Zombie Glass was riddled with sexed up messages, completely forgetting about the fact that there’s supposed to be more “Wonderland-esque-ness” to this paranormal book. Yes, we get to see Ali, Cole, Emma and all the other characters (as well as a few new ones), but there was a lack of magic in this one that was show more caused by nothing more than teenage hormones. What’s more is that Gena Showalter played a dangerous game by walking the line between what’s considered young adult and smut…

That being said, I still enjoyed Through the Zombie Glass, even though the sequel lacked the same impact that Alice in Zombieland made.

Some authors (and I wholly admire them) have the ability to write in a crude way, their voices raw and unique, delivering an entertaining read to audiences. Gena Showalter has that particular ability, and no matter what critique I offer as far as the few editing mistakes I saw (especially near the end) and how the plot diverged from what I had expected, she still put a fantastic story on paper that made me turn the pages. Frankly, I still want more of the White Rabbit Chronicles.

My only request is that Showalter bring back the Alice in Wonderland metaphors. I want to search for the influences where the original version and this new version collide. I don’t want it easily thrown at me in the way of Ali dressing up as Alice in Wonderland for Halloween or the tick tock nonsense where she saw her zombie-self in the mirror… no. I want to see more teacups and cards, more flamingo golf and roses. I want to be surprised by how ingenuously old and new metaphors are incorporated into the White Rabbit Chronicles, and I hope Book #3 will give that to me.

So, should you read it? Well I can’t wait for the next installment, even though I’ve been very critical of Through the Zombie Glass, so yeah, this is a great young adult series to follow. Like I said, Showalter walked a fine line, but she never crossed it, and it irked me to some extent, but I understood very well why she never crossed it. In other words, it’s frustratingly awesome and I’ll read it again. By all means, give it a go, you won’t be disappointed.

(Review originally posted on www.tentaclebooks.com) show less

I got a finished copy of this book to review through the Amazon Vine program. I want to love this series, I love the idea behind it, but it just falls a bit short for me.

This book picks up where the last book left off. Alice (Ali) Bell is trying to get her zombie slaying powers under control, but then she gets bitten and things get weird. Ali starts getting strange urges (like the urge to eat people) and glowing with red fire instead of her normal white. She knows something is very wrong, then when she looks in the mirror she sees something that is her but more evil. As if this wasn’t enough her boyfriend Cole is acting all secretive and won’t talk to Ali about why.

I want to love this series. I read the first book in the series and show more it was totally not what I expected. I thought I would read the second book because now I know what to expect and maybe thought the series would grow on me. Well, it didn’t. There are some neat concepts and ideas in this series. But there is way way too much teen drama and angsting over relationships. The whole thing reads more like a soap opera than an action packed zombie novel.

First lets talk about the whole vision thing that Ali has with a new character, Gavin. In the first book we learn that Ali’s visions are never what we think they will be. The characters know this...Ali and Cole know this. Still Cole totally freaks out at the vision that Ali has with Gavin and decides that Ali is leaving him or something. Uh...okay how stupid are Ali and Cole...I guess pretty darn stupid.

All of the characters in this book are like that. Super on and off in their relationships. There is so much drama. So much of various couples hating each other and then making up with each other. If you like shallow teen drama then this is the book for you.

All of the male characters in this book are super alpha, they remind me a lot of the male leads in the adult Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR Ward. They are out there to protect their women and they are constantly trying to take away the female characters’ choices and options in order to protect them...that gets sooooo old.

Ali drives me insane. She is so “I am never talking to Cole again” then he kisses her and she is all like “Oh, nevermind I can forgive him because he is so hot.” What a completely shallow heroine she is. She is also constantly putting herself and her friends in danger with her stubbornness and she just never seems to learn from her mistakes. She is definitely not one of my favorite heroines.

There are some neat things in here. I love the way zombies are treated and love how the fighting takes place in the spirit realm. Even though I do love this idea and concept, I have to admit some of the fight scenes get a bit confusing. You have to remember who is in spirit form and who is in physical form and Showalter doesn’t do a great job of making that clear with her writing.

I also have a bit of trouble with how all this zombie fighting ties in with the rest of the world in general. There is some mention of this zombie infestation in other normal people. It is mentioned fairly briefly and then forgotten. This book is definitely weak on the world building.

On a side note, what was up with the who Ali seeing her evil self in the mirror thing? Yes this echoes the original Alice in Wonderland...but it is never explained why this happens.

Overall an okay book but not my favorite. I didn’t enjoy the first book that much either. So I guess if you loved the first book in the series you will probably love this one. If you disliked the first book, this one is more of the same. I didn’t enjoy the characters all that much; they are a bit dumb in how they repeat the same mistakes over and over. I also didn’t enjoy the uber alpha males and the female characters that have as much will as a wet noodle. I do like the concept behind the zombies and thought the writing was easy to read and well done.

Right now I am not sure if I will read the next book in the series or not, I am leaning towards not reading it. If you like tons of teen drama and alpha male characters, with some zombie drama thrown in this might be the book for you. show less

Alice is getting used to the new world she has been thrust into with zombie, violence, and magic. She's lost family and friends along the way and is still healing. Then a zombie attack turns her world upside down once again. Mirrors come to life and a sinister voice whispers in her ear. She has the urge to do terrible, zombie-like things like bite her friends. Just when she needs her bad boy boyfriend Cole most, he pulls away because she has visions of the future with another guy. With her best friend Kat at her side, Alice must beat the darkness inside her, fight the zombies, and foil her human enemies' plans.

I was not a huge fan of Alice in Zombieland, but I had already had the sequel, so I figured I should just read it. I still like show more Gena Showalter's prose. The book moves very quickly and does keep my attention. However, there are just so many annoying elements to the story. I still don't like the type of zombies, which attack the spirit/soul of people, making a usually cool monster into a weird religious metaphor. Please label your Christian fiction as such so I don't mistake it for something I might actually want to read. The religious zombie metaphor holds true in the "darkness inside" plotline. Alice is bitten by a zombie and suddenly has to battle her inner Zombie Alice that wants to eat and kill people. Her main urges to do evil just happen to coincide with make out sessions with her boyfriend. Really? This is literally demonizing female sexuality by showing that temptation to have sex before marriage is turning her into a soul eating monster. I just shake my head. Male sexuality isn't seen as terrible and many of the male characters are experienced.

I hated Alice's little sister showing up all the time like a guardian angel and acting as a deus ex machina when it was convenient. I just found it to be lazy writing and really annoying to read. Cole pulls an Edward Cullen from New Moon and is in full douchebag mode for most of the book. Alice's visions of the future are still not explained at all, but are happening with a new guy as another lazy plot device to pull them apart and then stick them back together. The human villains are one dimensional and a stark black to the zombie hunters' white. The lack of shades of grey is what most bothers me about these books. Everything is either good or evil, with absolutely nothing in between and there is no questioning how things are. The shades of grey are what make life interesting and to show a world where there are only 2 extremes just doesn't excite me as a reader.

Overall, I did not enjoy Through the Zombie Glass. The religious aspects are too obvious for me and show a view of a world in two extremes. I won't be continuing the series. show less

I have such a hate/love relationship with this book, I don't even know what to say. You'll probably see much rambling and ranting (as per usual).

On the one hand, I'm so in love with Gina's writing, that I couldn't help but love THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS. It was just as addicting as it's predecessor, and I can't help but be seriously attracted to an author unafraid to rock the "lady boner".

On the other hand, I lost most of my love for Cole in this book. He's become this cowardly little boy that I really just want to punch in the throat. I'm not sure I've ever had such violent strong reactions to a character before.

We learn that when things start to get serious with a girl, he runs. He's afraid to get too attached because let's face it: show more mommy issues. I could say, to be fair, he did watch his mother turn into a zombie, but I'm not feeling particularly fair right now.
I'm still not too sure how much I like Alice. She's definitely changed in this book... I can't be sure it's for the good. I will tell you she has her badass moments.

"Ali Bell doesn’t play hide-and-seek,” Lucas said. “She plays hide-and-pray-I-don’t-find-you.”

Mackenzie smiled. “When Ali Bell gives you the finger, she’s telling you how many seconds you have to live.”

Cole chuckled, saying, “Fear of spiders is arachnophobia, and fear of tight spaces is claustrophobia, but fear of Ali Bell is just called logic.”

“Oh, oh.” Kat clapped excitedly. “There used to be a street named after Ali Bell, but it was changed because nobody crosses Ali Bell and lives. True story.”

I snorted.

“I heard Ali Bell once got bitten by a rattlesnake,” Lucas said, deadpan, “but after three days of pain and agony, the rattlesnake died.”

“Well, I heard that when Ali Bell wants to laugh,” Reeve exclaimed, “she reads the Guinness Book of World Records.”

If anything, this book reminded me how freaking funny Showalter can be. Anybody who can write a hot book and make me laugh my ass off at the same time is alright in my book.

However, it was really difficult for me to read this novel all the way through. In THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS Ali Bell's life is like one of those scary movies that are so so good, but you can't help but watch the movie through partially closed eyes. (In other words, her life becomes a train wreck.)

Http://nobookleftbehind.booklikes.com show less